Into the Streets 4 - Christians and Civic Authority

“Revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat.” - Charles G. Finney

Romans 13:1-7

The Big Idea: A refusal to submit to those in authority is a refusal to submit to and trust God.

FOUR CRITICAL TRUTHS ABOUT GOD, AUTHORITIES, AND YOU:
1. Authority is a God idea.
John‬ 19:10-11‬

2. Submission to authority is a godly decision.
Ephesians 5:21

3. Rebellion against authority is rebellion against God.
Acts 23:1-5

4. Your decision to submit or rebel reveals your level of trust in God’s Sovereignty and goodness.
Romans 13:5

1 Peter 2:11-21

Submission to authority makes room for God’s blessing.

Rebellion to authority invites God’s Judgment.

1 Samuel 15:23

What About Civil Disobedience:
Daniel 3:16-18

Is America a nation of rebellion?
The Declaration of Independence:
“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Response:
Romans 13:7
● Pray for those in authority.
● Give revenue, respect, and honor.
● Courageously live out your unbending commitment to God.
● Trust God for whatever comes - Jesus is Lord!

Resources:
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee
The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd